Brisbane Lions star Lachie Neale and wife Julie welcome baby girl

After confirming he will stay in Brisbane in 2022, Lions star Lachie Neale and his wife Julie have announced the birth of their first child with a sweet tribute to “little P”.

Brisbane Lions star Lachie Neale and his wife Julie have welcomed a baby girl.

Julie gave birth to the couple’s first child, a daughter named Piper Rose Neale, at Mater Mothers’ Hospital in Brisbane on Wednesday.

She shared the news to social media the following day alongside a photo of the newborn.

“And just like that all the years of dreaming, wishing, longing don’t seem to matter because here you are in my arms after all,” she wrote.

“I won’t take a second of you for granted my little P. Mama loves you beyond words.”

Julie Neale announces the birth of her daughter Piper Rose Neale. Picture: Instagram/ @jules_neale

Neale shared the same image, writing “my girls”.

Announcing her pregnancy in March, after the AFL star paid tribute to his wife when he won the Brownlow Medal in late 2020, Julie said falling pregnant “was long and trying” but she “wouldn’t change it for the world.”

“The journey to you has made me realise I am stronger than I ever thought I could be and I can do anything with your dad’s support,” she said at the time.

The couple made headlines recently when Neale considered a return to Perth for his family, but the AFL star confirmed early this month that he would remain at the Lions in 2022 and raise his daughter in Brisbane.

Lachie and Julie Neale enjoyed a babymoon at Makepeace Island in September. Picture: Instagram/ @jules_neale

“Obviously with the Covid situation the last couple of years it’s been really hard for her (Julie) to see her family and friends, as it has for a lot of people,” he said.

“We were half considering the prospect of getting back at some stage, but after sitting down and talking it through with our family and our friends and the club and with my management team, it became pretty clear after a couple of days that this is where the best place for us to be is, in Brisbane – firstly for my footy, and secondly we believe we can get the support network around us that we need moving forward.”

The couple enjoyed a babymoon at Makepeace Island this month, following the end of the 2021 season, before welcoming their daughter this week.